Phactory

Category: Politics

There has been a revival of international (especially Australian) media interest in recent weeks regarding North Korea (DPRK) and its nuclear and missiles program. News Corp, Fairfax, ABC, Channel 7, Channel 9 — you name it — are reporting on the possibilities of war between North Korea and the West, and a nuclear missile attack on Australia. But is there legitimate substance behind these reports? North Korea threatens to nuke Australia: … Continue reading The media, war and North Korea: How ‘yellow journalism’ injects fear into society

It’s currently the year 106, the roads are empty and there are only four TV channels — welcome to North Korea. While there’s plenty of controversial hoo-ha to discuss and widespread structural violence and famine to address — here are 10 weird and surprising facts about one of the world’s most culturally isolated countries. 1. The country uses its own calendar — It’s currently the year 106 Rather than … Continue reading Ten surprising things you may not know about North Korea

Section 18C? What on earth is that? Are news headlines and social media projecting that it’s something to do with racism and white men? If this is what you’re thinking — you’re not alone. Section 18C makes it unlawful to commit a public act that is reasonably likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of people based on their race. The Australian … Continue reading What’s Section 18C and all the uproar about?

When Port St Lucie (Florida) Police approached Richard Leslie Lloyd, 64, he nonchalantly announced that he was setting the shopfront on fire to ‘run the Arabs out of the country’. Lloyd was hoping by setting a garbage bin on fire he would ignite a bigger blaze targeting the store — fortunately, the attack was unsuccessful. To add further confusion, the shop owners were of Indian descent, putting to bed Lloyd’s xenophobic … Continue reading ‘Keep the Arabs out’: Racist and hate-fuelled attacks in the US

Sitting on an abundance of liquified natural gas (LNG) reserves, it’s hard to imagine that Australians are the victims of soaring gas prices or as recently reported, gas shortages. But believe it or not, some people in parts of the world such as Asia and Europe, are getting Australian gas at a cheaper price than people actually living in Australia. Despite claims regarding the introduction of the sustainable and … Continue reading Australians pay more than people overseas for Australian gas: The scary truth

It was recently reported that there could soon be an equal number of female and male walking signals at pedestrian crossings around Victoria. The initiative has already begun, with 10 pedestrian lights being altered from little green ‘men’ to little green women at Melbourne’s busy Flinders Street Station intersection. The Committee of Melbourne, a non-profit organisation comprising of over 100 Melbourne business and community groups, claims having … Continue reading Female pedestrian signals: Gender equality or political correctness gone mad?

Six straight days of airstrikes from Syrian regime forces on eastern Aleppo is the most intense bombing since the conflict began five years ago. Just the last few days of bombings have killed almost 300 people. Local residents are describing the city of Aleppo as a ‘Holocaust’ — the most hurtful reality is that rebels are targeting hospitals and schools. Will I die, miss? Will I die? "Will I die, miss?" … Continue reading Children in crossfire: “Will I die, miss? Will I die?”